Elevator



Nv. 25, 1930. 4 c. E. wlLox 1,732,754

Y ELEVATOR 4 Filed March- 2s, 1929. 2 sweets-sheet '1 quick `inv operation.

Patented Nov. 25, 19h30 CHARLES E. vwitoox,` or LONG BEACH. lcaninoanni ELEVATOR Application filed March 28, 1929. ASerial No. 350,580.

Thisinvention has to do With a `well tool and relates more particularly to an elevator for handling well drilling tools or equipment.`

It is a general object of the invention to proof vide a simple, inexpensive, anddependable elevator.y o .b .o `Devices known as elevators are used to hano dle various tools and equipinentduringthe drillingand operation of wells. Elevatorsl0 are inostcoinmonly used to handle drill pipe "and casing. o 'It is of great iinportancethat any elevator of this class beisafe and dependable in operation, thatit Ibe strong and du rable, and that it be simple, convenient, and Most elevators in use f depend upon a spring latch to hold them in operating position and they are therefore not altogether dependable. or safe. Constructions `and arrangements have been proposed. in` l which the load or work beinghandled is used to hold the parts in operating position,however, these constructions have not beeny altogether satisfactory as they have been dil'licult Alatch devices, keys, or other parts making them complicated, delicate, and Vcommercially impractical.

lt is a general object ot' the present inven tion to provide an elevator which is held 3f" closedby the work being handled and which is convenient and quick in operation and free o of speciallatch devices or `other parts subject to failure or operating to complicate the tool.

It is another object of the invention to provide anelevator in which the parts are such' as to Ybe held in operating position b y the o work beinghandled and in which there is also dependable, etective, and practical latch which operates to hold the parts in operating position regardless otwhether there is aload on the tool. o ...l

lt is a further object of this invention to provide an elevator having parts wliiclilock `it in operating position upon a load being applied to the tool and which are` automatically released when .the load removed from the tool. It is another object of the invention to pro vide anelevator of the general type above re 5g terred to adapted to be openedand closed .or slow to operate or have involved various by a simple swinging or pivotal morement betvveenthe main parts or sections.

'lllie various objects and features `of the invention will be bestand more fully understood from the followingdetailed description vention, throughout which desci'iptionrreference is hadto the accompanying drawings,

in which: y y

Fig. l is a side elevation of an elevator 1 embodying the invention showing it open "and` in position on a pipe ready to be closed. Fig. 2 is a view similar Ito Fig. 11 showing the elevater closed. Fig. 3 is` a plan view `of the ele.- vator showing it open, being a view taken as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a plan view` of lthelelevator showing it closed, being a view taken as indicatedby line l-a on Fig. 9.` Figi-` 5 isan enlarged ViewV showing a partof the elevator with the parts in closed position ready forthe elevator to be operated to receive a load, being of a typical form `and application or' the inan enlarged view taken substantially as in dicated by line 55 on Fig. 4. Fig. 6 isa view similar to Fig. 5 sho-wingthe elevator operated or in position `where it is carrying a iload. F ig. 7 an enlarged detailed sectional view taken through the latch oi the elevator, being a view showing the manner in which the latehoperates to hold the elevator closed. Fig. 8 is a detailedseotional view taken as'indicated by line 8 8 on Fig. 7 show- 'ing the parts in Vposition corresponding to thatillustrated in Figs. 2 and4 5 of the. drawings. Fig. 9 is a view similar to Figz showing`.the parts in position corresponding to that in Fig. 6;V Fig. 10 isan enlarged detailed sectional View taken as indicated by line .lO-4() on Fig. AZl showing the parts in position correspondingto that illustrated in Figs. 2,' 5 and'S. F ig.` l1 is a plan sectionitaken as indicated by line lll-ll on Fig. 5, `and F ig.`

"l2 is a view showing the end ofthe gate sec tion of the elevator. o i f The construction provided by this invention is applicable, generally, to elevators suchv as areused in well drilling rigs. For purpose of example, l will describe a well casing elevator and I have illustrated a well casing l0` provided with the usual coupling l1. The

elevator is adapted to surround the casing and to be moved upwardly into engagement with the shoulder 12 at the lower end of the coupling to lift the casing through the engagement with the coupling.

The elevator provided by the present invention includes, generally, two sections il. and D operable to embrace the casing, a connection C between the sections whereby they are free to be operated, that is, opened and closed for casing engagement, and means D for securing or rcleasably holding the sections in closed or casing engaging position.

The invention may be carried out in connection with elevators of various styles or types, however, it is particularly applicable to the side-door type of elevator, and therefore I have illustrated this type of elevator throughout the drawings. In the construction shown the sec-tion A, which is the main or body section, is substantially U-shaped in plan configuration. The casing receiving opening that extends into the body from one side is con'iparatively deep so that the casing is completely received within the body. The inner end portion 1?) of the body opening is rounded to conform to the exterior of the casing to be handled by the elevator.

The section B is in the nature of a closure or gate adapted to extend between two spaced side portions 14 and 15 of the body. The is designed to retain the casing in place within the body section A and is preferably formed so that its inner face 16 is curved to conform to the curvature of the casing as illustrated throughout the drawings.

The connection C between the sections A and B, that is, between the body and gate of the elevator, is preferably a pivotal connection joining` the sections so that the gate section B can be freely swung horizontally between the open and closed positions illustrated in the drawings and can be moved vertically to engage and release the pa rts of the sections as hereinafter described.

In the form of construction illustrated the connection is made by a pivot pin 17 carried between spaced upper and lower lugs 18 and 19 on one section and extending through a lug 2O on the other section. Inthe particular arrangement illustrated the spaced lugs 18 and 19 are located onor project from the end'part of the side portion 15 of the body section A, while the lug 20 projects from one end which I will term the inner end of the gate, and is located between the lugs 18 and 19. The pivot pin 17 is tightly carried by or between the lugs 18 and 19 and lits the opening 21 through the lug 20 so that the gate can swing freely about the pivot pin and can slide or move vertically on the pivot pin. The vertical height or thickness of the lug 2O is considerably less than the vertical distancebetween the lugs 18 and 19, thus allowing for vertical movement of the gate section B with reference to the body section A.

The means D provided for securing or releasably holding the sections A. and B in casing engaging position is preferably arranged to connect the free or outer end of the gate section B with the end part of the side portion 14 of the body section A. The means D is preferably a latch means operable to automatically connect the gate and body sections upon the sections being moved to operating positions around the casing as shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 7 of the drawings. I have shown a spring actuated latch 22 carried by one of the sections to cooperatively engage the other section. In the particular arrangement illustrated the latch 22 is pivotally mounted at the outer end of the body portion 14 to engage the free or outer end portion of the gate B. The latch 22 is arranged between spaced lugs 28 and 24 on the outer end of the body portion 14 and is held by a pivot pin 25 extending between these lugs and through the latch. r)Che latch is provided with a shoulder 26 to cooperatively'engage a shoulder 27 on the outer end portion of the gate, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 7. The shoulder 27 is formed on the gate by providing a lug or projection 28 on the outer end portion of the gate in position to receive the latch. A spring, for instance, a helical spring 30 is arranged between a suitable part of the body and the latch to normally urge the latch to the closed or operating position.

rlhe latch is provided with a suitable part 31 which cooperates with a part of the body portion 14 to limit the amount the latch may be moved under action of the spring 30. Further, the latch is provided with a projecting portion or head 32 which projects beyond the body portion 14 and is shaped and proportioned to form a handle by which the latch can be readily opened. In the preferred arrangement the head portion 32 of the latch is located adjacent a handle 38 provided on the outer end portion of the gate, making the tool simple and convenient to operate.

In accordance with my present invention the sections A and B are provided with cooperating parts engaged by vertical movement of the gate with reference to the body so that the gate is positively locked in closed position when the elevator is carrying a load. In the preferred form of the invention there are cooperating parts at both ends of the gate so that the gate is effectively held or locked closed by its engagement with the body as well as by the connection C and the latch means D.

In the form of the invention shown means is provided between the sections whereby the gate section B is normally urged upwardly to be in the position illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 5, 8 and 10 of the drawings in receive the spring 40. This allows for a spring of substantial length and for proper lowering of the gate, as will be hereinafter described. j i Y y Y, j The locking parts, as I will term the cooperating parts of the sections at the pivotal connection between the gate and body,inay

include aprojection 42 on one of the sections, for instance, on the body section, to extend into a socket 43 formedin the other section,

that is, in the gate section. In the case illusj trated the projection42` is in t-lieform of pin projecting upwardly from the outer por-` tion of the lug 19 while the socket 43 `is formed lin the lower side of the lug20r.` The pin projection 42 and the socket 43 are located `so that they are in line or register whenthe gate isinfthe closed position'v andso that the pin `projects intothe socket to lock the gate against pivotal movement upon the "gate being depressedor lowered to the position shown in Figs. 6 and 9 of the drawings.

The cooperating parts provided for locking the outer end of the gate B with the side portion 14 of the body may include atongue 50 projecting fromone of the sections, for inl? stance, from theouterend portion of the gate,l

and aiiange-like projection 51 on the'other section,`that` i`s,on` the outer part of the body "portion 14. Int-he arrangement shown the t tongue 5() and flange projection 51 are located belowjtheV latch means' D, as clearly illus tratedthrough the drawings.V The tongue 50` C is preferably in the form of a thicker heavy projection on the outer end portion of the gate and is preferably' provided with a flat side 52 adapted to engagethe end wall 53 of the body portion 14 when the gate is in closed position. The tongue is located on the j gate so that it may be passed between the latch carrying lug 24and the flange projectionV 51 y whenthe gate B is up, as shown in Figs.` 1, 2,

Alifandl S of the drawings. In the preferredv arrangement there iis just sufficient spacey bej tween the latch `carrying lug 24 and the flange j projection 51 to pass thetongue 50. A de j pression or recess 54 is provided in the upper side of the flange projection 51 to receivethe tongue 50 upon the gate section B being depressed or moved downwardly to the position shown in Figs. 6 and 9 of the drawings. The

manner in which the tongue 50 is received by the recess y54 is clearly illustrated in 9` of the drawings. It will be obvious how the j recess holds the tongue so that the gatejcannot be swung outwardly, or open, when in the down position.

` Further, cooperating locking parts be provided by forming the: lug 28 on the wouter end ofthe gate B so that it lowers into a notch o or recess 60 in the latch carryinglug 24 when j the gate is lowered. rlhe lug 28 is preferablyr; proportioned or made of sufficient vertical `extent as to reina-in in engagement with the latch 22 throughout movement of the gate be- Vtween the `positions referred to. The relation of thelug 28 to thelatcli will be clear-mp5 lyuiiderstood from examination of Figsnf?, 8 and 9v of the drawings. j j

`iThe gate Bis proportioned or related `to the body` section A"`s0 that itsuppervendfor` face 70 projects somewhat above the uppeii;

end o r face 71 ofthe body when thegateis up, as shown in 2, 5, Stand 10 of the drawings.`

`The gate in' position to engageithe `shoulderf12 ofthefcoupling 11 beforel thef v body, causing the gate tomove vertically relative to the body so that the locking parts y l*are engagedasthe elevator is moved upward` ly on the casing 10` to liftithe casing `through engagement" witlrthe 'coupling The mannerdfrl in whichthe coupling operateslto move the gate sothat the loclingparts are Y engaged will be apparent from examination of Fig.` f3 of thedrawings. j i

Baile for carrying the elevator vmay be coni? il `inected to the body A in any suitable manner.

InVA the case illustrated bail ears 2 project from the sides of the body at diametrically opposite points and are provided with open# ings74 `carrying hails 7 5. The bails extendSiri upwardly and suspend the elevator from a traveling block, or thejlile.

` In operatingthe elevator `the body is arlranged on the casinglO, as shown inFigs. 1 and 3 of the drawings, whereuponthe gatel sectionB is swung closed so that thelatch means D releasablydsecures the sectionstd gether in operating or casing engaging position. l The elevatoristhennioved upwardly vduring which nioveinentthe gate section stopped by the collar before the body section ieachesthe collar, causing the gate'secs 1 tion andthe dbody section to moveA relative to each other vertically so that the locking parts on the two sections are engaged."v It will bei" obvious that the parts will remain.` in this locked position so long as there` is sufcient load on the elevator `to hold the gate down against theresistance of the spring' 40. 1When it is desired to release the elevator, it is low ered on the casing until it is free of the coupling. `lvlihen in this position, the spring 40 holds the gate up so that the locking parts on the sections are disengaged.` The operator Vthen actuates the latch, completely freeing Vthe'sections so that the gate' can be swung open `allowing the elevator to be disengaged from the pipe.

` Having described only a typicahpreferred form of the inventioinl do not wish to limit" --iio myself to the specific details set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any changes or variations that may appear to` those skilled in the art or fall within the scopo of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. An elevator including, two pivotally connected sections adapted to engage around a casing, a latch for holding the sections in casing engaging position, the sections being shiftable relative to each other when in casing engaging position and having cooperating locking parts engageable by shifting of the sections, and means yieldingly holding the sections in position where said parts are disengaged.

.2. An elevator including, two pivotally connected sections adapted to engage around a casing, a spring latch for automatically connecting and holding the sections in casing engaging position, the sections being shift able relative to each other when in casing engaging position and having cooperating locking parts engageable by shifting of the sections, and means yieldingly holding the sections in position where. said parts are disengaged.

3. An elevator including, two pivotally, connected sections adapted to engage around a casing, a latch for holding the sections in casing engaging position, the sections being shiftable relative to each other parallel with the casing when in casing engaging position and having cooperating locking parts engageable by shifting of the sections, .and means yieldingly holding the sections in position where said parts are disengaged.

4. An elevator including, two pivotally connected sections adapted to engage around a casing, a latch for holding the sections in casing engaging position, the sections being shiftable relative to each other when latched in casing engaging position and having cooperating locking parts engageable by shifting of the sections, and means yieldingly holding the sections in position where said parts are disengaged. Y

5. An elevator including, two pivotally connected sections adapted to engage around a casing, a latch for holding the sections in casing engaging position, the sections being shiftable relative to each other when in casing engaging position and having cooperating locking parts engageable by shifting of the sections, and spring means yieldingly holding the sections in position where said parts are disengaged.

6. An elevator including, two pivotally connected sections adapted toy engage around a casing, a latch for holding the sections in casing engaging position, the sections being shiftable relative to each other when in casing engaging position and h aving cooperating locking parts at their ad]oining portions engageable by shifting of the sections, and

means yielding-ly holding the sections in position where said parts are disengaged.

7. An elevator including two pivotally connected sections adapted to engage around a casing, a spring latch for automatically connecting the sections to hold them in casing engaging position, the sections being shiftable relative to each other parallel with the casing when in casing engaging position and having cooperating locking parts at their adjoining portions engageable by shifting of the sections, and spring means yieldingly holding the sections in position where the said parts are disengaged.

8. An elevator including, two pivotally connected sections adapted to engage around a casing, a latch for holding the sections in casing engaging position, the sections being shiftable relative to each other when in casing engaging position and having cooperating lockingr parts engageable by shifting of the sections, and means at the pivotal connection between the sections yieldingly holding the sections in position where said parts are disengaged.

9. An elevator including, a body, a gate, a connection between the body and gate whereby the gate can swing and move vertically relative tothe body,a latch for holding the gate invclosed position, cooperating parts on the body and gate engaging to lock the gate against opening when the gate is closed and in a down position, and means normally yieldingly holding the gate up so that said parts are disengaged.

10. An elevator including, a body, a gate. a connection between the body and gate whereby the gate can swing and move vertically relative to the body, a horizontally moving latch for holding the gate in closedl position, cooperating parts on the body and gate engaging to lock the gate against opening when the gate is closed and in a down position, and means normally yieldingly holding` the gate up so that said parts are disengaged.

l1. An elevator including, a body, a gate, a connection between the body and gate whereby the gate can swing and move vertically relative to the body, a latch for hold ing the gate in closed position, cooperating parts on the body and gate engaging to locli the gate against opening when the gate is closed and in a down position, and means at the connection between the body and gate normally yieldingly holding the gate up so that said parts are disengaged.

12. An elevator including, a body, a gate, a connection between the body and gate whereby the gate can swing and move vertically relative to the body, a latch for holding the gate closed around a casing, cooperating parts on the body and gate engaging to lock the gate against opening when the gate is closed and in a down position, and

means normally yieldingly holding the gate up so that said parts are disengaged, the gate and body being related so `that the gate is moved down relative to the body when the elevatorbears the load of the casing.

13. An elevator including, a body,a gate,

` a connection between the body andgate f i. `whereby the gate can` swing and move ver tically relative to the body, a latchfor hold- Y ing the gate closed around a casing, cooperating parts on the body and gate engaging to l lock the gate against opening when the gate the body and gate engaging to lock the gate against opening when the gate is closed and in a down position, and means normally yieldingly holding the gate up so that said parts are disengaged, there being cooperat tically relative to the body, alatch for hold Ving the gate in closed position, a tongue on the outerr end portion of the gate adapted to g lower into a recess in the body when the gate is in closed position, and a spring on the said connection between the body and gate `normally yieldingly holding the gate in an up position relative to the body.

In Witness that I "claim the foregoing I.v

have hereunto subscribed my name this 18th day of March, 1929. f

' f CHARLES E. WILCOX.

ing parts at the inner and outer ends of the gate. l

15. An elevator including, a body, a gate, a connection betweenI the bodyV and gate whereby the gate can swing andmove ver-V tically relative to the body, a latch forholding the gate in closed position, cooperating parts on the body and gate engaging to lock the gate against opening when the gate is closed and in a down position, and means normally yieldingly holding the gate up so that said parts are disengaged, the latch operating to hold the gate closed during vertical movement between the body and gate Y whenthe gate `is in closed position.

16. An elevator including,` a body, a gate, a' connection between the body and gate whereby the gate can swing and move vertically relative to thebody, a latch for holding the gatey in closed position, a tongue on `the gate adapted to lower into a recess in the body when the gate is in closed position, and means normally yieldingly holding the `gate in an up position relative to the body.

17. An elevator including, a body, a gate',

` a connection between the body and gate whereby the gate can swing and move vei1N` tically relative to the body, a latch for hold-` ing the gate in closed position, a tongue on the outer end portion of the gate adapted to lower into a recess in the body when the gate is in closed position, and` means normally yieldingly holding the gate in an up position relative to the body.

18. An elevator including, a body, a gate,

a connection between the body and gate wherebythe gate can swing and move vern 

